6 most popular Johnny Rodriguez songs to listen as a tribute to Country singer

On Friday, May 9, 2025, the Texas-born country singer Johnny Rodriguez was announced dead via an official statement released on Facebook by his daughter, Aubrey Rodriguez. In the shared post, Aubrey reflected on how loved her father was, and his impact on his family, friends and fans at large.

The post reads:

"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Johnny Rodriguez, who left us peacefully on May 9th, surrounded by family. Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humour, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him,"

Concluding the statement, Aubrey Rodriguez appreciated fans and friends for their emotional support and asked for privacy during this period of mourning.

"We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of love and support from fans, colleagues, and friends during this time of grief. While the world has lost an extraordinary talent, we have lost someone irreplaceable—and we ask for privacy as we navigate this painful moment together," she added.

Johnny Rodriguez was recognized as one of the prominent names in country music due to his distinct sound that blended Tejano and outlaw country. In the course of his 53-year career, Johnny released critically acclaimed country hits, including Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico, Pass Me By, and That's The Way Love Goes, among others.

These chart-toppers not only earned the singer recognition at the 2007 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony but also resulted in six number 1s on the Billboard Country Chart.

Disclaimer: This article is ranked according to Spotify streams at the time of writing.

---

Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico, That's The Way Love Goes and other popular Johnny Rodriguez songs to listen to

1) Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico (11,444,078 Spotify streams)

Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico dropped in August 1973, as the debut single from the late singer's sophomore studio album All I Ever Meant To Do Is Sing. Johnny Rodriguez himself wrote the ballad.

Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico has a melancholic sound and features themes of regret, optimism, loneliness, and nostalgia. The first verse captures the essence of the song.

"This old highway seems so lonesome when you're goin' where you've been/ And a lonesome song can make you cry time and time again/ If I had listened to a friend of mine ten years ago today/ I'd have a better job than what I've got today."

---

2) That's The Way Love Goes (2,635,047 Spotify streams)

That's the Way Love Goes is a country song that tries to define unconditional love. The song's lyrics revolve around an individual who appreciates the unwavering interest and support of their lover and is willing to stand by them in their journey to achieving success

Verse 1 holds the message of the song.

"I've been throwing horseshoes over my left shoulder/ I've spent most all my life searching for that four-leaf clover/ Yet you run with me chasing my rainbows/ Honey, I love you too, that's the way love,"

That's The Way Love Goes was released by Johnny Rodriguez in 1973, and was penned by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. Shafer.

---

3) Pass Me By (2,514,160 Spotify streams)

Pass Me By was originally released by Johnny Rodriguez in October 1972. Since then, the country song has been covered by several artists, including Lynn Anderson, Connie Smith and Wanda Jackson.

The song's meaning is rooted in "Circumstantial incompatibility," in which an individual is willing to let go of his feelings for someone if there's a "clash of interest."

The chorus relates to this concept.

"You sure look like the traveling kind to me/ Don't stop if this ain't where you want to be/ Now I don't know what you think you run into/ Hey, pass me by if you're only passing through."

Pass Me By was written by Hillman Hall.

---

4) I Just Can't Get Her Out Of My Mind (1,454,909 Spotify streams)

I Just Can't Get Her Out Of My Mind is a break-up song that reflects on the aftermath of a failed relationship, in which an individual battles with the reality of moving on from his ex-lover.

The chorus reads:

"Never before has a woman ever haunted me/ But her magic spell keeps workin' overtime/ Somebody please put her out of my misery/ 'Cause I just can't get her out of my mind,"

I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind was released in January 1995 as a track on the album Songs About Ladies and Love. It was written by Seminole-born country artist Larry Gatlin.

---

5) How Could I Love Her So Much (1,029,105 Spotify streams)

How Could I Love Her So Much dropped in 1983 and features as the sixth track on Johnny Rodriguez's critically acclaimed album For Every Rose. The track circles around the complexities of being in love, narrating the recurring pattern associated with broken relationships.

The second verse reflects the ideology behind the song.

"He said Friend, let me buy you a drink/ And I'll tell you a story that's sad, but it's true/ How I loved her and held her 'til some drifter stole her/ From me, like I stole her from you/ I guess no one can own her, her heart's like a soldier of fortune/ Her love's like the wind/ Still, all I can think of is finding her new love/ And asking this question of him,"

---

6) Dance With Me Just One More Time (943,399 Spotify streams)

Dance With Me Just One More Time is a torch song that features themes of Acceptance, Longing, and Vulnerability. The chorus conveys the message.

"Dance with me once again, darlin'/ Though you no longer be mine/ Soften the pains that are starting/ Dance with me just one more time."

The country music was released in 1974 and was written by Johnny Rodriguez. In October 2010, the country music legend Johnny Rodriguez collected the Institute of Hispanic Culture Pioneer Award, as he was recognized as one of the pioneering Hispanic artists in the country Music genre.

---

Other popular songs by Johnny Rodriguez include I Can't Stop Loving You, Corpus Christi Bay and You Always Come Back.